I‘ll work day and night for results

I won’t shirk from my responsibilities in ensuring ScotRail deliver improvements in the 2300 services they run every day, and better contingencies and communications are in place to deal with incidents like those we saw at Edinburgh Haymarket.

Under my instruction, ScotRail are already enacting a 246-point improvement plan to make those changes happen.

Over this year and next, we will also deliver £16million of additional infrastructure improvements and deliver a refurbishment programme across 90 per cent of our existing trains.

But as we work to improve our train service, it is worth reflecting on the sheer number of construction projects being undertaken across Scotland’s transport system.

Indeed, to anyone travelling around the country right now, the level of work under way is visibly apparent.

This has been the case since this government took office in 2007 – despite the challenging financial circumstances and significant cuts to our capital budget from the UK Government.

Our seven cities will also be linked by higher speed trains, with rolling stock that is more in keeping with an intercity experience – providing the latest standard of comfort, accessibility and catering provision, plus 40 per cent more seats.

And in the Central Belt, 70 new electric trains will be delivered next year to provide commuters with up to 40 per cent more seats at peak times on the main Edinburgh to Glasgow route.

With such major investment in our transport network, it’s inevitable there is going to be some level of disruption – and I thank everybody for their patience.

Where standards fall below the expectations of this Government and the public, I will work day and night to improve matters.

The prize for all of us is a transport network fit for the 21st century – and as Transport Minister I certainly won’t accept anything less.